Role Overview

The Associate Director – Data Fabric & AI Strategy is a senior consulting and architecture leadership role responsible for shaping Data Fabric, enterprise data warehousing (including Amazon Redshift), legacy‑to‑cloud modernization direction, and AI / agentic AI adoption strategy across large‑scale client transformation programs.

Operating directly under the Technology Leader / Chief Architect, this role focuses on strategy, target‑state architecture, governance, and executive advisory, while partnering closely with project management, client enterprise architecture teams, and key business and technology stakeholders to ensure architectural alignment and informed decision‑making.

Primary Consulting Mandate

- Define enterprise‑grade Data & AI target architectures aligned to business outcomes and risk posture

- Ensure platforms are designed for reuse, trust, scalability, and regulatory confidence

- Guide modernization direction and architectural trade‑offs

- Enable progression from analytics to AI to bounded agentic AI, supported by governance and controls

- Translate enterprise vision into governable standards, reference patterns, and decision frameworks

Technical Skills

Enterprise Data & Platform Architecture

- Data Fabric architecture and domain‑oriented data design

- Cloud‑native data platforms (AWS preferred)

- Enterprise data warehousing, including Amazon Redshift

- Legacy‑to‑cloud data platform modernization

- Architecture standards, patterns, and governance

- Security, privacy, and compliance considerations for data and AI enablement

Certifications (Preferred)

- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

Functional Skills

- Data & AI strategy execution under enterprise technology leadership

- Architecture governance, design assurance, and executive decision support

- Solution structuring and technology trade‑off analysis

- Stakeholder alignment across business, IT, and enterprise architecture

- Client‑facing advisory, executive communication, and workshop facilitation

AI & Agentic AI Enablement

- Experience enabling AI‑ready data platforms and governed analytics foundations

- Architectural exposure to advanced analytics, machine learning, and agentic AI use cases

- Ability to design platforms that evolve from insight‑driven analytics to AI‑enabled action with transparency and accountability

Industry Experience

- Energy & Utilities experience helpful but optional

- Experience advising regulated or asset‑intensive enterprises strongly valued

Leadership Skills

- Senior consulting mindset with deep architecture credibility

- Executive‑ready communication and stakeholder influence

- Ability to drive alignment across multiple teams without direct authority

- Strategic judgment with pragmatic decision‑making

Education & Work Authorization

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or MBA preferred

Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship

Work Model & Travel

- Remote role within the United States

- Eastern Time working hours required

- Up to 25%

Compensation (Pay Transparency)

Base salary range (good-faith estimate): $122,400 - $194,000 annually.

Eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, subject to applicable plan terms.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

401(k) plan with company contributions.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Employee Assistance Program.

17 Paid holidays plus PTO.

Paid parental leave and fertility assistance.

Learning and development programs and certifications.

The Cognizant community:
We are a high caliber team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

• Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world.
• We don’t just dream of a better way – we make it happen.
• We take care of our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what’s right.
• We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that’s right for you.

About us:
Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Disclaimer:
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.